Asunción is the capital of Paraguay and one of the most important cities in the central part of South America. In its center, a lot of colonial and 19th-century buildings have been preserved, and the local museums are also eagerly visited by tourists.
The city was one of the first to be founded by the Spaniards on the eastern side of the Andes. Thanks to its location on the Paraguay River, it was an important port and a place from which the expeditions of conquistadors, who founded new cities, set off. For this reason, during the colonization period, Asunción was nicknamed "Mother of the Cities". The very name of the city comes from the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Nuestra Señora de la Asunción), which in 1537 became the day of its foundation.
Asuncion was the seat of the colonial administrative authorities, and from 1713 regular uprisings against the Spaniards broke out here. They led to Paraguay gaining independence in 1811. A large part of the colonial buildings was destroyed in the second half of the 19th century as a result of the war with Brazil.
The oldest part of Asunción, which is on the sightseeing route of all tourists who come here, is located by the river. There are richly decorated 17th and 18th century colonial houses. One of the most impressive buildings is the Baroque Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
In addition to the colonial center in the oldest part of the city, you can also find many nineteenth-century buildings from the period of the beginning of the state. Among the greatest attractions of Asunción from this period are the National Pantheon with sculptures of heroes of the fight for independence, the Lopez Palace, which is now the seat of the president, and the Old Senate Building.
There are also many museums in Asunción, visiting which allows you to learn about the history and culture of the country. The most important are the Museum of Independence, the Cultural Center of the Republic, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Sacred Art, the Adreas Barbero Ethnographic Museum, the City Museum and the Barro Museum. An unusual attraction is the Museum of the Central Railway Station - a closed train station, where you can see its equipment as well as historic locomotives and carriages.
The life of the inhabitants goes on in numerous squares, the largest of which are Democracy Square, Heroes Square and Uruguay Square. Paraguay is a country where mate is drunk in numerous cafés and bars. It is the most important drink that is hugely popular with locals and tourists alike. Asunción's family attractions include the botanical garden and the zoo, which allow you to explore South America's wildlife.
